Fishermen demands to Gov't

 April 7, 2014

Fishermen submit water-release demands

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140407_36.html

The head of a Japanese fishermen's federation has submitted the group's demands to the government regarding releasing underground water into the sea at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

The government and plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Company have proposed a plan to pump up underground water before it flows into the nuclear facility and release it into the sea.

The measure is being studied as a way to reduce the amount of radioactive contaminated water building up at the plant.

Hiroshi Kishi, chairman of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations, handed a written list of demands to Industry Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Monday.
The federation calls on the government to have a third party monitor the release of the underground water into the sea.

It also demands that the government assume responsibility for possible damage from rumors about the fishing industry.

Motegi said he will do his best to meet the federation's demands, because he recognizes that the fishermen have made a difficult decision in accepting the plan.

A local federation of fishermen's cooperatives officially agreed to the plan last Friday. Workers are expected to start implementing the plan as early as May.

After his talks with Motegi, Kishi said he believes the government will keep its promise.

Apr. 7, 2014 - Updated 12:07 UTC